Lorenzo Theater
16080 Hesparian Boulevard,
San Lorenzo,
CA
94580
16080 Hesparian Boulevard,
San Lorenzo,
CA
94580
3 people
favorited this theater
On April 5, 1947, the United Artists built Lorenzo Theatre opened in San Lorenzo, California. Not only were the opening night attendees treated to showings of “Swell Guy” and “Dark Mirror” but they also were among the first the see Anthony Heinsbergen’s glorious fluorescent murals. These enormous jungle scenes are the first black light murals in Northern California history.
In addition to the works of Heinsbergen, who received his first major theater commission from Alexander Pantages in 1924 and decorated over 750 theaters nationwide, the theatre was designed by San Francisco architects Alexander A. Cantin, who was known for unique marquees and A. Mackenzie Cantin.
Throughout the years, many special events were held at this amazing treasure. Throughout it’s functioning years, the theater hosted Saturday morning “kiddie matinees”. Costume parties were held for the community on Halloween. Live armature performances regularly graced the theater’s stage. Additionally, the Lorenzo Theater was the first theater in northern California to house a live cast of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”.
The Lorenzo Theater fell victim to the same disease of it peers, the advent of the multiplex theater, and closed its doors in 1982. It has remained vacant since.
In early-1999, the Lorenzo Theater Foundation was formed. The California 501c non-profit organization is dedicated to the salvation and restoration of the Art Deco treasure.
Awards and Merits
ART DECO PRESERVATION AWARD from the ART DECO SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA IN May, 1986 ten of these are given each year to buildings deemed worthy of preservation.
The Lorenzo Theater was designated a California Historic Resource early in 2001.
On September 12, 2002, the Lorenzo Theater was named a Historic Preservation (HP) District by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, the first in Alameda County.
Contributed by
Diane Rinella, Paul Salley
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Recent comments (view all 21 comments)
This is a recent photo.
Do people in the San Lorenzo/Hayward area not like the Lorenzo Theater? This restoration project has had no updates in almost 2 years. The 14-month deadline has passed. Does anybody know the status today?
Here is a 1982 photo.
That 1982 photo would be shortly before it closed.
Jack Tillmany operated this theater for many years through the 1960s & into the early 1970s. When American Graffiti played here (as a move-over from the Southland Cinemas), it played here successfully for a number of weeks. Clint Eastwood films also drew well.
He also instituted a policy “No one under 16 admitted without a parent” at all times. This was largely to cut down on such things asas seat slashing
Marh 2010 photo of the Lorenzo Theatre.
View link
The Alameda County Redevelopment Department is now the owner of this beautiful old theater. On May 18, 2010, the CAC (Community Advisory Committee) voted to spend up to one million dollars to restore the outside of the building. This money will be spent on things like the roof and to make the building secure. Some of the money is also earmarked to repair the marquee and to fix the tower. This is wonderful news and a step in the right direction to save this building from becoming more run down.
Kelly McHan
Lorenzo Theater Foundation
Secretary
Funny thing seat slashing must be a California thing. Worked in five theatres 2 single screens, 1 twin,1 triple and one Quad,and that is a lot of seats .but you know in the seven or eight years i worked in a theatre I can’t remember anyone ever slashing a seat.Sad comment a theatre owner had policy no kids under 16 without parents,bet he lost a ton of money.I bet the real truth was he didn’t want a bunch of kids running crazy in this theatre!
Nice looking theatre.
Anything happening at the Lorenzo?
There have been no recent updates on their official web site.